Matsuri Travel

Festivals in South Asia

Color festivals, temple processions, and celebrations at monumental scale.

A Naga man in traditional dress holding a spear, shielding his eyes, at the Hornbill Festival
Dec 1–10, 2026est.

Hornbill Festival

All of Nagaland's tribes meet in one hill village for ten days of song, dance and games

Kohima, India$$$$
A Thaipusam devotee holding an offering tray, portrait
Jan 22, 2027

Thaipusam

A million devotees climb 272 rainbow steps carrying burdens of devotion

Batu Caves, Malaysia +2$$$$
Masked dancers in red and pink costumes performing at a tshechu festival in Bhutan
Mar 18–22, 2027est.

Paro Tshechu

Masked dances in a fortress courtyard and a giant thangka unveiled at dawn

Paro, Bhutan$$$$
A crowd with raised hands covered in colored powder at Holi
Mar 21–22, 2027est.

Holi

India throws color at winter, and everyone within reach

Mathura & Vrindavan, India +1$$$$
Decorated elephants lined up at night at the Thrissur Pooram
Apr 17–18, 2027

Thrissur Pooram

Caparisoned elephants, duelling parasols and a dawn of fireworks in Kerala

Thrissur, India$$$$

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